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| ===Dietary Needs of the Elderly=== | ===Dietary Needs of the Elderly=== | ||
| - | Malnutrition is a common problem that affects many residents in nursing homes. <ref name= | + | Malnutrition is a common problem that affects many residents in nursing homes. <ref name="Greenwod">Greenwood, C. E., Wendland, B. E., Weinberg, I., & Young, K. W. H. (2003). Malnutrition in institutionalized seniors: The iatrogenic component. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 51(1), 85-90. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.proxy.library.brocku.ca/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=7&hid=123&sid=03aa7606-806a-457a-9ac9-451e9ceaa6cd@sessionmgr115</ref> As we grow older, our lifestyles change, which causes us to consume fewer calories and results in a lower intake of nutrients. (1) When this occurs over a long period of time in the elderly and becomes severe, the individual can be at higher risk for health complications, and even death. (1) These health complications could include things such as diabetes mellitus, dementia and cardiovascular disease, as well as complications from diseases that the person already has, such as angina, congestive heart failure and osteoporosis. (6) Reasons for malnourishment may be due to a decrease in taste and smell sensitivity, a loss of appetite due to medication side effects, an inability to chew and/or swallow, natural swelling (distension) of the stomach and longer digestion that makes people feel full for longer periods of time. However, when individuals are in a nursing home, things such as depression, social isolation, stress and the long delay between meals can also have an effect on food consumption. (1, 3, 4, 7) |
| - | Researchers state that meal-plans in nursing homes that are based on the food guide do not provide residents with enough daily nutrients, and that a vitamin and mineral supplement should be considered.<ref name= | + | Researchers state that meal-plans in nursing homes that are based on the food guide do not provide residents with enough daily nutrients, and that a vitamin and mineral supplement should be considered.<ref name="Greenwood"/> For those residents who are in better health, being fed meals enriched with protein, iron, calcium and Vitamin A and D may be a step in the right direction towards eliminating malnutrition. (2,5) In addition to considering the dietary needs of elderly residents in a nursing home, it is also important to take into consideration their ability to feed themselves, and the impact that has on their overall food consumption. In studies that have been conducted on feeding assistance in nursing homes, it has been found that a variety of different interventions can help to significantly increase both food and liquid intake at mealtimes. (17) These interventions included one or a combination of: social stimulation and encouragement, nonverbal cues (such as rearranging food on the plate to be more accessible), verbal cuing, partial physical assistance (where items were held while not in use), and even full assisted feeding. (17) |
| ==Notes and References== | ==Notes and References== | ||
Revision as of 20:43, 30 October 2011
Contents |
Dietary Needs of the Elderly
Malnutrition is a common problem that affects many residents in nursing homes. [1] As we grow older, our lifestyles change, which causes us to consume fewer calories and results in a lower intake of nutrients. (1) When this occurs over a long period of time in the elderly and becomes severe, the individual can be at higher risk for health complications, and even death. (1) These health complications could include things such as diabetes mellitus, dementia and cardiovascular disease, as well as complications from diseases that the person already has, such as angina, congestive heart failure and osteoporosis. (6) Reasons for malnourishment may be due to a decrease in taste and smell sensitivity, a loss of appetite due to medication side effects, an inability to chew and/or swallow, natural swelling (distension) of the stomach and longer digestion that makes people feel full for longer periods of time. However, when individuals are in a nursing home, things such as depression, social isolation, stress and the long delay between meals can also have an effect on food consumption. (1, 3, 4, 7)
Researchers state that meal-plans in nursing homes that are based on the food guide do not provide residents with enough daily nutrients, and that a vitamin and mineral supplement should be considered.[2] For those residents who are in better health, being fed meals enriched with protein, iron, calcium and Vitamin A and D may be a step in the right direction towards eliminating malnutrition. (2,5) In addition to considering the dietary needs of elderly residents in a nursing home, it is also important to take into consideration their ability to feed themselves, and the impact that has on their overall food consumption. In studies that have been conducted on feeding assistance in nursing homes, it has been found that a variety of different interventions can help to significantly increase both food and liquid intake at mealtimes. (17) These interventions included one or a combination of: social stimulation and encouragement, nonverbal cues (such as rearranging food on the plate to be more accessible), verbal cuing, partial physical assistance (where items were held while not in use), and even full assisted feeding. (17)
Notes and References
- ↑ Greenwood, C. E., Wendland, B. E., Weinberg, I., & Young, K. W. H. (2003). Malnutrition in institutionalized seniors: The iatrogenic component. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 51(1), 85-90. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.proxy.library.brocku.ca/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=7&hid=123&sid=03aa7606-806a-457a-9ac9-451e9ceaa6cd@sessionmgr115
- ↑ Cite error 8; No text given.
Socialization in the Nursing Home
When elder people are admitted into a nursing home, they experience many changes both physically and emotionally.[3]. Common feelings that are expressed in many elder individuals after entering a nursing home are loss of freedom, loss of control, feelings of loneliness and even a sense of failure. [3] Many patients related staying in a nursing home to living in a jail due to the fact that they feel they have no freedom of movement, no privacy and they feel they lose control over many things in their lives. [3] Feelings of loneliness begin to take over and they report spending a lot of time by themselves while being surrounded by strangers and 'sick people'. [3] Experiencing these negative feelings can have major effects on health status, leading to a poor quality of life. [3] Changes in their physical environment and level of physical activity are not the only changes elders experience in the nursing home, changes also take place in their daily life routines, social networks and supports. [3] These elders will feel a great sense of loss at leaving their homes, families and neighbourhoods. [3] Lack of control in their lives is a major problem in nursing homes. [4]. Nurses who work with elders in nursing homes quite often view them as children and they tend to enforce power over them which leaves the elders dependent on the nurses for everything. [4] Lack of control over personal decision making seems to affect life satisfaction. [4] Social support networks and activities in the nursing home are important in preventing a decline in life satisfaction, socialization and cognitive dysfunction. [3]
An example of a nursing home that focuses on socialization.
Activity 1: Tai Chi Classes
The first activity that has been successful in increasing and maintaining socialization once in the nursing home is Tai Chi, which is an exercise that involves the mind and body. [5] It is really good for elder people to participate in because it is not too intense and it doesn't incorporate anything that requires you to be extremely physically fit. [5] It is just a series of dance-like movements strung together but done at a very slow pace. [5] Five major styles of Tai Chi exist, which are Chen, Yang, Sun, Wu and Wu. [5] It also involves deep breathing exercises as well as mental concentration.[6] It is suggested that exercises like Tai Chi help to maintain and promote psychological well-being. [6] Studies have shown that Tai Chi classes can promote state self-esteem, enhance health-related quality of life, improve mood, lower stress levels and is an excellent way to increase socialization within the nursing home. [6]
Most Tai Chi programs and classes run two to three times a week and are one hour long, which contains of a 15-minute warm-up phase, a 40-minute activity phase and lastly a 5-minute cool down phase. [6] One of the most popular types of Tai Chi done in these environments is the Yang-style Tai Chi because it has a low intensity. [5] After a few weeks of taking the Tai Chi classes, the elders seem to be more lively, vital and energetic and seem to enjoy the social aspect of these classes as well as the low intensity movements. [5] To help promote the well-being of elders in nursing homes, it is suggested that Tai Chi programs be incorporated into more nursing homes. [5]
An example of a Tai Chi Seniors class.
Activity 2: Gardening Programs
Gardening programs in nursing homes have been shown to enhance socialization and life satisfaction and to reduce loneliness. [3] They also give elders a chance to have daily physical activity which can help to enhance muscular strength and improve fine motor skills. [3] Gardening activities enhance enthusiasm and gives elders a sense of responsibility and has the group work as a team. [7] Gardening allows an opportunity for elders to extend their social networks by providing them with opportunities to foster social interaction with each other. [3] These programs can involve activities like maintenance of parks, spreading gravel on the paths, raking, weeding flower beds, planting flowers and hanging flower pots. [7] These programs were effective in increasing life satisfaction and socialization and decreasing loneliness for the elders in the nursing homes. [3] Most of the elders who participate in these gardening programs describe the experience as being very positive and they express feelings of pleasure and happiness, a sense of responsibility and they engage in social activity. [3] They also give the elders a chance to engage in social activity and allows them to share their ideas and knowledge with each other in the care of their plants. [3]
Conclusion
It is very important for elders in a nursing home to maintain their socialization. If this does not occur and the elder shuts down emotionally, it is very possible for their life satisfaction to decrease which could have serious negative effects on their physical and psychological well-being. [4] They are experiencing major changes in their lives like leaving their homes, their families, etc. and many actually see it as the final step or 'rite of passage' before death. [4] This causes them to isolate themselves, but having activities in the nursing home like gardening programs and Tai Chi classes allow them to socialize,make new connections and form new relationships which will better their quality of life.
Notes and References
- ↑ Greenwood, C. E., Wendland, B. E., Weinberg, I., & Young, K. W. H. (2003). Malnutrition in institutionalized seniors: The iatrogenic component. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 51(1), 85-90. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.proxy.library.brocku.ca/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=7&hid=123&sid=03aa7606-806a-457a-9ac9-451e9ceaa6cd@sessionmgr115
- ↑ Cite error 8; No text given.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 Tse, M.M.Y. (2010). Therapeutic effects of an indoor gardening programme for older people living in nursing homes. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 19, 949-958.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Jacelon, C.S. (1995). The effect of living in a nursing home on socialization in elderly people. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 22, 539-546.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Chen, K.M., Chen, W.T., Hsu, Y.C., & Tseng, H.F. (2005). Well-being of institutionalized elders after yang-style tai chi practice. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 16, 845-852.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Lee, D.T., Lee, L.Y., & Woo, J. (2010). The psychosocial effect of tai chi on nursing home residents. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 19, 927-938.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Heikkilia, K., Olofsson, L., Thelander, V.B., & Wahlin, T.R. (2008). Gardening activities for nursing home residents with dementia. Advances in Physiotherapy, 10, 53-56.
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